Dr. Tartakow has been recognized with Americas Best Dentists honor, selected by the National Consumer Advisory Board from 2014 to the present: This prestigious award is presented only to dentists who demonstrate exceptional credentials, experience and commitment to excellence.
Dr. Tartakows mission as a clinician has been to provide orthodontic care, empathy and understanding for optimum patient care and treatment excellence. He recognizes the diverse needs, compassion, consideration, and sensitivity required for every patient. Dr. Tartakows commitment to the profession has been to prevent and control oral disease, disorders and all other conditions for the improvement of oral health by reaching for the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
Gregg A. Tartakow, D.M.D. practices orthodontics, dentofacial orthopedics, T.M.J. disorders & orofacial pain and is an Invisalign provider in Santa Monica, CA. Dr. Tartakow is a graduate of the University of Florida; Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine; Albert Einstein Medical Centers General Practice Residency Program and Postgraduate Orthodontic Residency Program.
His professional accomplishments have included: Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics; Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, Royal Society of Medicine (London, U.K.), Pierre Fauchard Academy and World Federation of Orthodontists; Member of the American Dental Association, West Los Angeles Dental Society and American Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Tartakow has over 20 years of clinical experience in both private practice and dental clinics. He spent most of his career: (a) practicing pediatric orthodontics with advanced knowledge of early and interceptive orthodontics (Phase I); (b) treating adolescents (Phase II); and (c) working with adult patients, many of whom having severely compromised medical and dental histories. Dr. Tartakow is a Clinical Associate Professor at University of Southern California, School of Dentistry. He is the Associate Editor of the Ortho Tribune and has authored over 20 independent scientific articles.
Invisalign is the clear way to straighten teeth without braces, using aligners. Aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing; and you can still eat and drink what you want. Also, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth; and there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions. The aligners are custom fitted to the teeth, making them virtually unnoticeable when laughing, talking, and eating with other people.
The cost of Invisalign treatment depends on the complexity of your case, dictated by the length of Invisalign treatment. The details of your orthodontic insurance will also play a factor. If your dental plan covers orthodontic treatment, you may also qualify for Invisalign.
Unlike braces Invisalign aligners are removable, so its easy to continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do. You can even remove them for special occasions and pop them back in when youre ready.
A Customized Treatment Plan is Created for YouWe will use a scanner such as the iTero digital scanning system to create fast, precise 3D digital images of your teeth. Then we will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth and how long your treatment will be. Youll even get to see how your teeth will move and preview your new smile. While every case is unique to each patient, treatment typically takes approximately a year for adults. For teens the length of treatments is comparable to that of braces.
Based on your individual treatment plan, a series of custom-made, clear aligners is then created specifically for you. These aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that wont irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do. Simply wear them throughout the day and remove them when you eat or to brush and floss your teeth. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into place. And because theyre virtually invisible, most people wont even notice youre wearing them.
Wear a New Aligner Every Two WeeksApproximately every two weeks, you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. To monitor your progress, you will also have occasional checkups with Dr. Tartakow, usually only every six weeks or so. For best results and a timely outcome, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, throughout your entire treatment. At every stage, you will be able to see how much closer you are to having the smile that reflects the real you.
Reveal Your New Smile & Keep It Looking GreatCongratulations! This is the time when you celebrate. You have reached the end of treatment and you will be smiling more than ever. Once your treatment is complete, protect the beautiful new smile you have invested in. Dont forget to ask Dr. Tartakow if you will need retainers to keep your teeth in their new position.
Aligners are clear and practically invisible. This is why they are often referred to as clear braces. They look like clear tooth-whitening trays. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Invisalign aligners are custom-fit to your mouth for comfort and optimal teeth-straightening results.
While Invisalign moves your teeth without the pain and anxiety metal braces can cause, some people experience temporary discomfort for a few days at the beginning of each new stage of treatment. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure. Its also a sign that Invisalign is working, as it moves your teeth to their destination. This discomfort typically goes away in a couple of days.
Like other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign aligners may temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having aligners in your mouth, any lisp caused by the aligners should disappear.
Whether youre a teen or an adult, no matter what stage youre at in life, youll appreciate how the Invisalign treatment has minimal interference in how you live but has a significant positive impact on how you look and feel about yourself. From mild cases of crooked teeth and protruding teeth, to much more difficult dental problems involving serious malocclusion, overbite, or underbite, Invisalign effectively corrects a wide variety of dental problems. Whether your teeth are widely gapped, overly crowded or somewhere in between, we have an affordable teeth straightening option for you.
Cost is always a concern but is determined by a number of factors. In most cases, Invisalign treatment is comparable to the cost of traditional braces. However, as with other medical treatments, only an Invisalign-trained doctor can determine the cost, based on your specific needs. Other factors may include your treatment goals, the difficulty of your case, how long you are in treatment, and additional factors determined by Dr. Tartakow. Invisalign treatment is covered by many dental insurance policies. And we can offer flexible and affordable monthly payment plans as well.
Yes. Using the Invisalign patented thermoplastic design, Invisalign aligners move your teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force. The main difference is that Invisalign not only controls the force, but also the timing of the force application. During each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move. These movements are determined by Dr. Tartakow as they map out your unique Invisalign treatment plan.
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 19 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestLana Chavez
a year ago
We started with Dr. Tartakow in Torrance while my son required to go through "phase one" and had amazing experience but found out later that Dr. Tartakow opened new office in Santa Monica and contemplated if I want to commute that far. After having a consultation with another doctor I made a commitment to follow Dr. Tartakow do to "phase two" and I have NO REGRET! We never had to wait for our appointments, the cleanliness and friendly staff who are always so welcoming definitely worth my drive! Thank you so much for your care and beautiful smile- you guys are the best!
Ellie
2 years ago
This is the place to be! Dr Tartakow and his staff are absolutely exceptional. Thorough out the entire process, from consultation to braces off, they have been kind, accommodating, and absolute pros at what they do. It's a shame you only have to get braces once (hopefully lol) because I'd be back here in a heartbeat. I can't rave enough!
Jay B
2 years ago
This has been an excellent experience! Dr. Tartakow is very calming, informative and explains each step of the process - that has not always been my experience with healthcare professionals, especially with dentistry. I was very anxious getting braces and the staff has been instrumental in easing my anxiety. The staff is very friendly. Most importantly, every person in the office genuinely is concerned about you and gets to know you along your orthodontic journey.
S K
2 years ago
I went in to remove my permanent braces after putting it off for years.. Dr. Tartakow and his staff were all incredibly welcoming and accommodating. The removal was administered by Suzy. She was very respectful and made me feel very at ease. Not to mention the process was pain free! 10/10 would recommend to everyone to come here for all your orthodontic needs.
Enny Lian
2 years ago
Always ask for Suzy! She is super nice and helpful. She always goes above & beyond with my needs and wants. Hands down you will receive the best care. I would highly recommend this place not only because the office is clean and neat, but also because of Suzy.
p mAc
2 years ago
10 out of 10 recommend Dr. Tartakow and his staff for orthodontic care. My teeth looked straight but other issues were occurring that required an orthodontic solution. I always look forward to my appointments. Everyone is so kind and always do everything they can to make me comfortable. Friendliest medical office I've ever been to!! If you need an orthodontist I cannot recommend Dr Tartakow and his beautiful office highly enough. Go here, you will not be sorry!!
Alex Gils
2 years ago
Thank you dr. Tartakow for drving an extra mile (actually 45 miles one way) to open your office after hours to help my son Jacob. We don't see that level of enthusiasm and care too often.
lindsay anne gegenberg
2 years ago
My daughter's pediatric dentist suggested he see an orthodontist. Her teeth were coming in on top of each other. We had several consults and I needed a doctor I trusted (not so easy in LA) and an office environment where my daughter felt comfortable. I found Dr. Tartakow on Google and knew we found the right place after the consult. Dr. Tartakow is friendly, knowledgeable and has a great personality. The office is sleek and modern, with personable staff. I'm very happy with our decision and my daughter's teeth are looking great!
Ben Sweet
2 years ago
I went into Dr. Tartakow's office seeking a consultation to address concerns with current treatment from a different provider. The staff was friendly and quick, and took complimentary X-rays. After diligently listening to my concerns, Dr. Tartakow made it clear that things were actually going quite well. He actually recommended that I stay with my current provider because they are doing a great job on my case, and I have to commend him on the up-front and un-biased opinion, and for taking the time to have an in-depth clinical discussion when I was not even a patient to put my mind at ease. If the level of care this office provides is at least as good as it was for a free consultation, then their patients are in great hands.
Elle
2 years ago
Dr Tartakow is absolutely amazing he's so knowledgeable and insightful. His staff is so amazing ( shout out to Leigh and Suzy) to my son they are thoughtful careful and gentle with children and they understand the anxiety that can come with dental work. I don't I have the words to express my gratitude for all they have done to correct my son teeth.. My son looks forward to his visit and never complains about the adjustments! Big bonus they are super affordable we got several other opinions and we realized that Dr Tartakow had the best option and affordability out of all the other orthodontist. I believe doing stage one it made all the difference when trying to correct dental crowding.. I didn't have one other opinion that talked about stage one. I truly feel Dr Tartakow has the best interest of all of his patients in mind when coming up with an orthodontic plan he wants to make sure you don't lose any teeth and sometimes that happens when you don't do stage one! It's amazing the difference that has happened in just 9 months!!( see X-ray photo before then 9 months later!! This is stage one!) We highly recommend going with Dr Tartakow and his staff for all of your orthodontist needs!! Orthodontics center of Santa Monica ROCKS!!
Ben Sweet
3 years ago
I went into Dr. Tartakow's office seeking a consultation to address concerns with current treatment from a different provider. The staff was friendly and quick, and took complimentary X-rays. After diligently listening to my concerns, Dr. Tartakow made it clear that things were actually going quite well. He actually recommended that I stay with my current provider because they are doing a great job on my case, and I have to commend him on the up-front and un-biased opinion, and for taking the time to have an in-depth clinical discussion when I was not even a patient to put my mind at ease. If the level of care this office provides is at least as good as it was for a free consultation, then their patients are in great hands.
Elle
3 years ago
Dr Tartakow is absolutely amazing he's so knowledgeable and insightful. His staff is so amazing ( shout out to Leigh and Suzy) to my son they are thoughtful careful and gentle with children and they understand the anxiety that can come with dental work. I don't I have the words to express my gratitude for all they have done to correct my son teeth.. My son looks forward to his visit and never complains about the adjustments! Big bonus they are super affordable we got several other opinions and we realized that Dr Tartakow had the best option and affordability out of all the other orthodontist. I believe doing stage one it made all the difference when trying to correct dental crowding.. I didn't have one other opinion that talked about stage one. I truly feel Dr Tartakow has the best interest of all of his patients in mind when coming up with an orthodontic plan he wants to make sure you don't lose any teeth and sometimes that happens when you don't do stage one! It's amazing the difference that has happened in just 9 months!!( see X-ray photo before then 9 months later!! This is stage one!) We highly recommend going with Dr Tartakow and his staff for all of your orthodontist needs!! Orthodontics center of Santa Monica ROCKS!!
lindsay anne gegenberg
3 years ago
My daughter's pediatric dentist suggested he see an orthodontist. Her teeth were coming in on top of each other. We had several consults and I needed a doctor I trusted (not so easy in LA) and an office environment where my daughter felt comfortable. I found Dr. Tartakow on Google and knew we found the right place after the consult. Dr. Tartakow is friendly, knowledgeable and has a great personality. The office is sleek and modern, with personable staff. I'm very happy with our decision and my daughter's teeth are looking great!
Robert Satlow
3 years ago
"As good as advertised if not better. Just became a patient of Dr. Tartakow based on a referral and couldn't be more pleased. Loved the latest technology. Staff is very professional. Pain free experience. Definitely would recommend".
Tom Dieball
3 years ago
Great experience - they are very knowledgeable and professional -- staff is very personable and friendly, felt very comfortable. The equipment there is new and top of the line. The TVs above the chair made the appointment fly by without even noticing the clock -- no more staring at the ceiling bored! Look forward to going back.
Martha Bernabe
3 years ago
My son is a patient at Orthodontic Center of Santa Monica and we love it there. Dr. Tartakow and his staff are absolutely amazing! He's very knowledgeable and honest. Scheduling an appointment was fast and easy. They're very accommodating and they worked with my insurance which was great! I visited several orthodontist before and none provided us with that one on one attention. I've told all my friends and family about Dr. Tartakow. If your looking for an awesome orthodontist in Santa Monica contact them.
Beatriz Hernandez
3 years ago
Staff is very helpful and attentive. Dr. T, Martha and Lee are very friendly. The office is located in a convenient location. 10/10 would recommend.
L P
4 years ago
Edit 2: Dr. Tartakow explained that there was a misunderstanding and was kind enough to provide reimbursement as well as a CD of my X-rays to keep. :) Edit: The X-rays were not as free as I thought! I recently had to get an X-ray at my new general dentist and they showed me that this office charged my insurance for the exam already. I'm new to having insurance so I wasn't aware that I could only have one X-ray covered every year and a half or so. Luckily, my new dentist was kind enough to waive the fee for me! I just wish Dr. Tartakow would have been more transparent... I stopped in for an Invisalign consultation and it was the best experience I've had at an orthodontist! Leigh, Danny and Dr. Gregg were super friendly and helpful. The examination was very thorough and included X-rays and 3D scans all free of charge, which is not always the case at other practices I've visited. Dr. Gregg's quote for my Invisalign treatment was fair as well. I'm looking forward to coming back to their office! :)
Robert Satlow
4 years ago
"As good as advertised if not better. Just became a patient of Dr. Tartakow based on a referral and couldn't be more pleased. Loved the latest technology. Staff is very professional. Pain free experience. Definitely would recommend".
Tom Dieball
4 years ago
Great experience - they are very knowledgeable and professional -- staff is very personable and friendly, felt very comfortable. The equipment there is new and top of the line. The TVs above the chair made the appointment fly by without even noticing the clock -- no more staring at the ceiling bored! Look forward to going back.
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